[LDD] T-47 airspeeder

[La Chupacabra]

Could move 1x4 slope more to the front ? In my opinion this solution looks better.

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

Could move 1x4 slope more to the front ? In my opinion this solution looks better.

Already done! I will have some photos up after I finish revising the back vanes, and harpoon and deck.

Plaudits for being the 50th commenter to this topic, and opening up a third page!

[ecmo47]

I, too, have loved watching the evolution of your design. I'm not 100% sold on the SNOT wings (the wing tips are too thick for my taste) but you have nailed all the major aspects of the model (especially the engine grill ) . Now stop stalling and build it!! I guarantee that you will find several small structural flaws to correct.

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

I, too, have loved watching the evolution of your design. I'm not 100% sold on the SNOT wings (the wing tips are too thick for my taste) but you have nailed all the major aspects of the model (especially the engine grill ) . Now stop stalling and build it!! I guarantee that you will find several small structural flaws to correct.

HaHaHa! I love the excitement! True, the thickness of the wings is not appealing, but true, because I decided to build them with bricks I had the flexibility to accommodate other details.

Ha! Never am I stalling . Even If I did momentarily, it was for a good reason, right? All these improvements I've been accomplishing and showing y'all recently have been worthwhile (my time & money especially), plus I have more updates to show below…

What you see are my revisions to the harpoon gun, as well the back vanes that allow my new lower air brakes to be functional… Though I miss the curves of the panels.

By the way, I have images below of the body by its self; to give a glimpse of how structurally sound it is (I made sure every plate element was interlocked to another by at least 2 studs, so I believe the body is overly secure, but as for the wing is another story I'll have to experience once I get buildin', yet I have confidence they will hold their own).

Thanks!

[Bob De Quatre]

HaHaHa! I love the excitement! True, the thickness of the wings is not appealing, but true, because I decided to build them with bricks I had the flexibility to accommodate other details.

Don't worry about the wings, they look good even with the SNOT thickness. I also have a SW "to be revealed" project where I used bricks where TLG used plates, and still I think my model is superior as it allow for a cleaner and more detailed look!

I believe the wings will hold strong enough

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

Don't worry about the wings, they look good even with the SNOT thickness. I also have a SW "to be revealed" project where I used bricks where TLG used plates, and still I think my model is superior as it allow for a cleaner and more detailed look!

I believe the wings will hold strong enough

Thank you. Likewise, the thickness is a minor negative, If I went with plates, I would have forwent details such as the laser cannons, repulsor drive units & power couplings, and the cleaner, smoother look (which I will never consider ).

Hmm… unrevealed project… would you confirm at least that it is either a land-vehicle or a air-vehicle?

[Bob De Quatre]

I've already said too much

[ecmo47]

Just when I thought it couldn't get better! Those engine vanes look really good now. One point of weakness is going to be the attachment point of the slope 75 2x1x3 on the rear of the wings. Anyway to extend that 1x plate by 1 stud to help? Also, you add more layer of 1x plates (5 studs worth) on the wing edges where the 1x tiles are now. You could then cover the end of the 75 slope with a tile and both ends of it would be held. The one exposed stud on the slope 14 4x1 could now be covered with a cheese wedge piece.

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

I've already said too much

really?

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

Just when I thought it couldn't get better! Those engine vanes look really good now. One point of weakness is going to be the attachment point of the slope 75 2x1x3 on the rear of the wings. Anyway to extend that 1x plate by 1 stud to help? Also, you add more layer of 1x plates (5 studs worth) on the wing edges where the 1x tiles are now. You could then cover the end of the 75 slope with a tile and both ends of it would be held. The one exposed stud on the slope 14 4x1 could now be covered with a cheese wedge piece.

HaHa ! Wouldn't use a 1 x 1 cheese slope, it's too sharp for the 4 x 1 slopes, but I use the 2 x 1 slope with grilles though…

Tell me what you think?

[hachiroku]

I didn't like your first version, but the new one.. Wow.

I never though that the "wings" built with bricks instead of plates could work, but now looks very stylized.

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

I didn't like your first version, but the new one.. Wow.

I never though that the "wings" built with bricks instead of plates could work, but now looks very stylized.

I didn't much like the first either—I am amaze of where it came from to where it is now.

Dealing with the thickness of bricks, I exceedingly had to set the difference with tremendous amounts of details, even details that could not be readily achieved with plates. Perseverance really paid off and I am appreciative of the results, even the more that is to come.

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

I've already said too much

really?

Is it a popular set? How many versions have Lego released—more than 4 at least? Who uses it the Rebellion or Empire? Are you making a Millennium Falcon with bricks ?

[ScottishDave]

HaHa ! Wouldn't use a 1 x 1 cheese slope, it's too sharp for the 4 x 1 slopes, but I use the 2 x 1 slope with grilles though…

Tell me what you think?

Yes, that works perfectly. It puts the transition from sloped edge to straight a stud too far back, but what can you do?

As to the rest of the model...

Wow. That's a LOT of changes in one week.

I see you've decided to use the Lars nose. It works (of course) but I kinda miss your original nose design - it was good that you were doing something original.

I see you are also using the Lars heatsink. Again, it works, and I like it better than your old heatsink, because it has the right number of fins. I'd love to see if you can angle it by a few degrees like mine. I never quite figured it out, but I'm sure it is possible.

The rear gun deck looks much better now - it is just the right size.

The rear gun.... what is UP with you and the rear gun? Every update, you have a new design . It's crazy! I'm not sold on this one - the radio does make a nice body, but the gun should have two barrels and... it's a radio.

The rear flaps look good - again, the Lars dsesign. You may find when you build In Real Bricks (soon, I hope) that it is a little bit fragile.

I still say that the power converter is too thick. I see your problem with the brackets: could you not use 1x1 bricks with studs on the side, or headlight bricks?

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

Yes, that works perfectly. It puts the transition from sloped edge to straight a stud too far back, but what can you do?

As to the rest of the model...

Wow. That's a LOT of changes in one week.

I see you've decided to use the Lars nose. It works (of course) but I kinda miss your original nose design - it was good that you were doing something original.

I see you are also using the Lars heatsink. Again, it works, and I like it better than your old heatsink, because it has the right number of fins. I'd love to see if you can angle it by a few degrees like mine. I never quite figured it out, but I'm sure it is possible.

The rear gun deck looks much better now - it is just the right size.

The rear gun.... what is UP with you and the rear gun? Every update, you have a new design . It's crazy! I'm not sold on this one - the radio does make a nice body, but the gun should have two barrels and... it's a radio.

The rear flaps look good - again, the Lars dsesign. You may find when you build In Real Bricks (soon, I hope) that it is a little bit fragile.

I still say that the power converter is too thick. I see your problem with the brackets: could you not use 1x1 bricks with studs on the side, or headlight bricks?

I hope hearing about these updates have been entertaining for you as it is for me to hear the fantastic feedback!

– Beginning with the nose, I too miss my original design, but as the angle of the wings kept becoming sharper than my more flatter snowspeeder version, my nose design looked greatly out of place, so I came to Lars'…

– So that's what it's called "heatsink." Indeed, I am also using his design for this detail. I don't know if it has the correct number of fins (I seen some with 12 and some with 15, but that's my knowledge & mine has 11), but it did add 2 extra fins, opposed to the nine I originally had with the previous version, and gave space to include functional lower air brakes (just like you considered).

– The rear gun deck looks fine √. But how about the gray gold bar, does it fit right with the rest of that section or is it not necessary?

– True, true. It seems just like that . I had issues with the last one simply because the handle laid to close the rear of the cockpit (I wanted at least one stud of space between the harpoon gun and the cockpit). I tried something else with just binoculars and screwdrivers, but that proved uninteresting in every way. With the radio it nice details molded on the body, but lacks a second antenna to represent the harpoon gun (if there is such an handheld radio). But maybe I forgot this…

How do you feel about the diameter of the bar compared to that of the antenna?

– Interesting, I did not see that my technique for the rear flaps was similar to Lars', as I did not consider his when I merely sought for his heatsink design alone—what a coincidence. However, I do plan to complete some more work on that area so it isn't so fragile when I get to real bricks.

– I attempted using headlight bricks instead of brackets but it left an unsightly gap, which I believe wouldn't be the best compromise for thinness—but I may try something at some point …

But those rear gun updates

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

I see you are also using the Lars heatsink. Again, it works, and I like it better than your old heatsink, because it has the right number of fins. I'd love to see if you can angle it by a few degrees like mine. I never quite figured it out, but I'm sure it is possible.

Oh, I forgot to mention, I did make a few adjustments to the design so it will accommodate the body of my snowspeeder, plus I changed the hinge plate Lars originally had there with a modified 1 x 1 tile with clip for the sake of accuracy (for its similarity to the detail of the model). I don't suppose I could angle it a bit, because the center fin at top is a 1 x 2 tile that is only held by (also) a modified 1 x 1 tile with clip, which is interlocked with a 1 x 1 plate that is interlocked with a modified 1 x 1 brick with studs on 4 sides. This wasn't much a aesthetic issue when I formerly had the nice curves of the panels, but…

You know, I will probably see what I can do about this and then post another update about it shortly .

[GuyDudeMan27]

I used to be the primary poster here, but I've let myself fall behind With all the new updates, your Snowspeeder has gone from ok, to absolutely amazing! One thing that's been nagging at me is how much this has transformed from totally original to kinda a rehash of Larry Lars' version. It still looks amazing, don't get me wrong, but I think you could depend of his version a little less. The heatsink is probably the hardest part of a snowspeeder build, and your previous solution looked fantastic (but I would have liked it in black), and the main force behind it was that it was original. The Lars nose works perfectly, and the transition from Snot to plates up there looks great. The story of the rear gun is hilarious I personally like the version as of 6/23 (The one at the top of the first page), as it looks nice and sophisticated. I'm mad I didn't suggest the 1x2 grill slope earlier, as that was nagging at me too. It honestly looks perfect in the overall design. In all honestly, I think that the only glaring issue right now is the rear gun and heatsink. Personally, I would just revert to some of the previous versions I mentioned and update them for a final time. I'm gonna contradict myself here and also say that something about the roof rubs me the wrong way. Maybe it's because it hasn't changed at all since the beginning, but it just looks a tad too simple, although making it sophisticated would be quite the challenge. Having converted LDD models to real bricks before, I wouldn't worry too much about having everything perfect. When building you just learn what goes where and how certain things will work out. After seeing this in real bricks, I'll need to decide which version I like best, yours or Lars. I'm leaning towards one already I can't wait to see where this build goes!

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

I used to be the primary poster here, but I've let myself fall behind With all the new updates, your Snowspeeder has gone from ok, to absolutely amazing! One thing that's been nagging at me is how much this has transformed from totally original to kinda a rehash of Larry Lars' version. It still looks amazing, don't get me wrong, but I think you could depend of his version a little less. The heatsink is probably the hardest part of a snowspeeder build, and your previous solution looked fantastic (but I would have liked it in black), and the main force behind it was that it was original. The Lars nose works perfectly, and the transition from Snot to plates up there looks great. The story of the rear gun is hilarious I personally like the version as of 6/23 (The one at the top of the first page), as it looks nice and sophisticated. I'm mad I didn't suggest the 1x2 grill slope earlier, as that was nagging at me too. It honestly looks perfect in the overall design. In all honestly, I think that the only glaring issue right now is the rear gun and heatsink. Personally, I would just revert to some of the previous versions I mentioned and update them for a final time. I'm gonna contradict myself here and also say that something about the roof rubs me the wrong way. Maybe it's because it hasn't changed at all since the beginning, but it just looks a tad too simple, although making it sophisticated would be quite the challenge. Having converted LDD models to real bricks before, I wouldn't worry too much about having everything perfect. When building you just learn what goes where and how certain things will work out. After seeing this in real bricks, I'll need to decide which version I like best, yours or Lars. I'm leaning towards one already I can't wait to see where this build goes!

GuyDudeMan27 (do you have a nick name for that?) welcome back! Indeed, I have flooded this topic with updates, basically every week & multiple times in a week, ever since I made a dramatic change from my first version, in which you critiqued. Importantly, I value your opinion and everyone else, but I feel lightly discredited, yet I do not mean to offend in any way. I know each and every one of you were pleased I had my original nose design, because you and I have seen just about every minifigure-scale snowspeeder moc on eurobricks & the internet, and witness a good portion of them were alternates of Larry Lars' design, with exception to Brickdoctor's, who brick-built most of his and used Lars' nose design & perhaps the cockpit design. So I can fathom the disappointment when I made the transition to Lars' nose design, and how unoriginal it must have felt to see yet again another snowspeeder with the "Larry Lars nose design."

I as well was disappointed when this happened. However, I believe I had the right intentions to follow out with this. Aesthetically speaking, when I increase the angle of the wings to make the join to the body appear uniform or "gapless," or lengthened the cockpit 1 stud back (as before the shallower angle prevented this), you will see below that the join between the wings and the nose look disgraceful in every way. I could decrease the angle of the wedge plates connected to the wedge brick, which would look nicer, but that would just detract from the authenticity of the angle that is liken to an actual snowspeeder…

So that's the story of why I came to this solution—I hope it helps understand my reasoning.

As for the heatsink. I loved the previous design as well. Especially, for how smooth it was, and how pleasurable the curves of the panels were. However, the assuming fins were not long enough for me to consider keeping the design since I shortened the gun deck, and I did not feel it would be visually interesting to see a block of plates to make up the difference of length. I assure if Lego manufactures a 1 x 1 x 2, a 1 x 2 x 2, and a 1 x 4 x 2 versions of their counterparts, I will be exceedingly busy to fashion those in that design. I know heatsink design I am currently using is credited as Larry Lars design, therefore, I don't mean to discredit him in any way, but there is not many ways to use tiles and arranged them in similar fashion as an actual snowspeeder heatsink, and I see the same with nose and the limited variety of wedge plates. You might see from the photos the only difference is that modified tile with clip, as I feel it is more accurate to the models than what Lars did with the hinge plate.

On to the color. Black would be too stark of a transition from white; gray softened the transition between colors. It would be another story if my snowspeeder were gray (I reserve that for a Luke Skywalker's version ), though I believe gray is the correct color compared to photos I've seen across the internet. I have not mentioned this before, but I plan to acquire most (if not all) of the dark stone elements for the heat sink and repulsor units in old dark gray.

Now the rear gun … I liked that one too for a time, but I dislike how there was no space between the cockpit and the gun (that was the only reason)—I am beginning to see that I am the only one feels this way and likes the details of the radio . However, I will see how both guns look on the snowspeeder in real life, and judge then.

Lastly the roof. I think it will look much better in real bricks especially with the windscreen I have been linking. Besides, I wouldn't want something sophisticated like Lars' because wouldn't it work, as his rear windscreen rest one plate lower that the front (which makes it work in a sense), and doing something like looks odd in my opinion—plus I like the sunroof set I have right now although the glass is not the same transparency as the rest of the cockpit.

When I made the first version and presented here, I didn't feel it was worth continuing (I mean seriously look at that thing). It was greatly inferior to Larry Lars' recent snowspeeder, even his first version, and Anio's petite version, that I felt I should just follow Lars' instructions and be satisfied with someone's else work. However, I was not satisfied with being unoriginal. I remember when I made my first dramatic update from my first version and felt that was it, it's finished—was I wrong. I made phenomenal improvements along the way and suffered some designs that I truly appreciated. I wouldn't call it a rehash, though the most familiar or recognizable aspects of my snowspeeder are his nose and heatsink designs, but these are only components you would say I implemented into this moc…

So on a score of 10, you could give mine an 8

The highlights of this moc are definitely the full set of wings, laser cannons, and repulsor units & power couplings. What is most striking about it is the grille pattern of the repulsor units (also how linear the slope of this part is, as well as the slope of the power couplings). I have never seen anyone properly represent this except for Lego's attempt for their UCS snowspeeder. Then there is other details about the aircraft…

I am excited to hear your liking leaning towards this model, but it will be a real experience once it's built

I look forward to a reply of your thoughts on this soon!

Edited June 27, 2015 by LiLmeFromDaFuture

[GuyDudeMan27]

Quite the response there Personally, I like the lars design implemented here. Its not just lifting the same design, you had to adapt it to the Snot wings. As for the heatsink, I see where the issues would occur. I know its not an exact lift of the Larry Lars design, but it still looks uninspired, considering how creative you have shown to be. There wouldn't be anything else that would really work anyway. I think a huge issue with Lego and Snowspeeders is the fact that they are so dirty, while legos are clean. I personally like black, but wait until you see in real bricks, as it may look a bit different. Conceptually, the roof is fine, I just don't like it personally. And I would rate this at least a 9/10. Its gotten that good. I can't wait now until yours is done!

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

Quite the response there Personally, I like the lars design implemented here. Its not just lifting the same design, you had to adapt it to the Snot wings. As for the heatsink, I see where the issues would occur. I know its not an exact lift of the Larry Lars design, but it still looks uninspired, considering how creative you have shown to be. There wouldn't be anything else that would really work anyway. I think a huge issue with Lego and Snowspeeders is the fact that they are so dirty, while legos are clean. I personally like black, but wait until you see in real bricks, as it may look a bit different. Conceptually, the roof is fine, I just don't like it personally. And I would rate this at least a 9/10. Its gotten that good. I can't wait now until yours is done!

Thanks! I just hope it was greatly informative despite how long I don't completely like design over the previous one, primarily because of how thick the fins are, the underside of the tiles/plates (whatever they are called), and no curves. Sometime before I wanted to try something with glass elements that are for the 1 x 2 x 2 windows, but found they did com in the necessary colors. Then I thought about using flags, but didn't come to find a way to get them close as possible… I believe in dirty snowspeeders too, but don't see it easy enough to represent without a proper color like very light gray, or without a larger canvas (scale). As for most snowspeeders (excluding Luke Skywalker's) they're more white than gray, and I settled on this… However, I plan to make two snowspeeders, which the other will be Luke Skywalkers', whose will be gray (yep, I going to have to spray paint that sunroof frame gray and I have no problems with it ). I look forward to showing the snowspeeder heatsink and grilles of the repulsor units in dark gray—I think it's the best way to represent something weathered down immense heat—opposed to using blueish dark gray which will look to clean and new.

Thanks for the rating! I guess the loss point was due to rear gun !

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

Well, it's been a while (I would say) since I posted an update on my progress with the Snowspeeder, well that is because I am working on acquiring the pieces to build it. Currently scrounging through my personal supply, which mostly comprises of gray pieces, since I have been building my AT-AT lately (75% perhaps completed), and since I donated ALL my old Lego pieces. Now then I am parting out the rest of the model with use of "BrickStock," a pretty efficient program for Mac users who want to buy lots of parts from Bricklink without the hassle of going through piece by piece & store by store which I have been doing previously with the AT-AT; about 5000+ pieces and I only have a thousand or more so to go .

Anyway, what I have for you below (if your still reading), is just side by side showcase of the generic & gray-colored/Luke Skywalker's snowspeeders—you know, since some of you prefer gray T-47s nonetheless…

Feedback anyone?

[La Chupacabra]

Any changes from previous version? Despite the nose?

It looks nice I dont like that radio for harpoon. And maybe you can change 1x1 plates to 1x2 in the tip of the wing.

Edited July 4, 2015 by La Chupacabra

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

Any changes from previous version? Despite the nose?

It looks nice I dont like that radio for harpoon. And maybe you can change 1x1 plates to 1x2 in the tip of the wing.

I am glad you like and I have made a few changes (excluding the harpoon—surprisingly it seems like no one likes it ). I made a quite few changes on the repulsor units and laser barrels such as: replacing some headlight bricks with brackets, changed up the connection between the power converters, repulsor units, and laser barrels for a more sturdy design, added the 1 x 1 round tile atop each repulsor unit for added detail, replaced a rare gray technic pin on each laser barrel with technic 1/2 bushes & other technic pins that are more readily available. Then about the 1 x 1 plate at the tip of the wings. I couldn't place a 1 x 2 like I intended because LDD forbade the connection since the angle of the wedge plate on the nose and its proximity to the wings, but once my bricks arrived, I plan to fiddle around with that & see what I can do.

I will share the experience of receiving the packages, working with the LDD instructions, and parting together the MOC.

See you then!

[LiLmeFromDaFuture]

Two out of seven packages have arrived!

Upon my experience on progressing through this build, I am really impressed of how robust the body is! I know I suggested the likely sturdiness before in the design process, but to my surprise, it's exceedingly phenomenal than I imagine. Incredibly, I would (NOT GOING TO ) have to forcefully crash-land it into the ground for a smashing pile of pieces!

I suppose I accomplished 25% of the build—even then I am SWOOSHING it !

I hope everyone's anticipation is rejuvenated; if not, expect more updates this weekend and the coming days of next week. According to the shipment details of various packages, tomorrow speaks of: more Lego pieces (of course!), but most especially, look forward to seeing a Luke Skywalker snowspeeder pilot minifigure (sw461).

See you then!

[GuyDudeMan27]

Looks great! Also, the photography is great! And the frame? Great! The stability? Great! Getting more parts? Great! The final product? It'll be great!